Adjustable length container

ABSTRACT

An adjustable length container that includes an inner container section and an outer container section that fit telescopically together to enable the length of the container to be adjusted. The bottom and side walls of the outer container section include at least two sections so that one of the sections can be removed to shorten the total length of the container. The container optionally includes a removable end wall on the outer container section, a removable and length-adjustable partition in the inner container section and complementary features that permit multiple containers to be securely stacked.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This utility patent application is a continuation-in-part application that claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/353,070, filed Jun. 21, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated in full into this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention described and claimed in this application relates to an adjustable length container, by which is meant that the length of the container is incrementally adjustable within a predetermined range. The container can be easily and quickly adjusted lengthwise to accommodate products being shipped or stored that are of varying lengths. For example, a user can adjust the container to a relatively long length and use it to ship a relatively long length product or group of shorter length products, then, when it is necessary to ship a shorter length product, the container can be shortened. This feature saves space and avoids having to purchase containers of varying dimensions. In addition, when the containers are being shipped empty or being stored, they can be adjusted to the shortest length, saving space in this manner as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a length adjustable container that is incrementally adjustable within a predetermined range.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container that can be easily and quickly adjusted lengthwise to accommodate products being shipped or stored that are of varying lengths.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container that a user can adjust to a relatively long length and use to ship a relatively long length product or group of shorter length products, then, when necessary to ship a shorter length product, the container can be shortened.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container that, when being shipped empty or being stored, can be adjusted to the shortest length, thus saving space.

These and other aspects of the invention are achieved by providing an adjustable length container that includes an inner container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart inner side walls and an end wall having a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and end wall. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent and extends along the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls of the inner container section. An outer container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls and an end wall defines a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and bottom is provided. The predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section has dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section. The first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls each have first and second side wall panels attached on adjacent side edges. The bottom includes first and second bottom panels attached on adjacent end edges. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent to and extends along the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls of the outer container section and is dimensioned to telescopically receive the pair of upper rails of the inner section therein. The pair of upper rails of the inner container section and the pair of upper rails of the outer container section have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration defining a storage area.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second side wall panels of the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls are attached on adjacent side edges by complementary dovetails.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second bottom panels are attached on adjacent end edges by complementary dovetails.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one pin-receiving hole is provided along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, an inner pair of lower rails is positioned adjacent and extends along parallel lengthwise side walls of the inner container section, and an outer pair of lower rails is positioned adjacent to and extends along parallel lengthwise side walls of the outer container section and are dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein. The inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, the complementary inner and outer locking elements include at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of lower rails and adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.

According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one pin-receiving hole includes a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of lower rails.

According to another aspect of the invention, the end wall is removable.

According to another aspect of the invention, an adjustable, laterally extending partition is positioned within the container for dividing the storage area within the container into two separate zones.

According to another aspect of the invention, the adjustable, laterally extending partition is positioned within the inner container section.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pair of laterally spaced-apart casters is positioned on one or another of the inner or outer container sections.

According to another aspect of the invention, the rails are tubular with an inside dimension of the inner pair of upper and lower rails dimensioned to be telescopically received in the outer pair of upper and lower rails.

According to another aspect of the invention, adjustable length container is provided that includes an inner container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart inner side walls and an end wall having a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and end wall. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent and extends along the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls of the inner container section. An outer container section is provided having first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and bottom. The predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section has dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section. The first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls each include first and second side wall panels attached on adjacent side edges by complementary dovetails. The bottom includes first and second bottom panels attached on adjacent end edges by complementary dovetails. A pair of upper rails is positioned adjacent to and extends along the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls of the outer container section and is dimensioned to telescopically receive the pair of upper rails of the inner section therein. The pair of upper rails of the inner container section and the pair of upper rails of the outer container section have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration defining a storage area. At least one pin-receiving hole is provided along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration. An inner pair of lower rails is positioned adjacent and extends along parallel lengthwise side walls of the inner container section. An outer pair of lower rails is positioned adjacent to and extends along parallel lengthwise side walls of the outer container section and is dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein. The inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails have complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, guide channels are formed in the interconnected side walls of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.

According to another aspect of the invention, guide channels are provided, and are formed in the interconnected side walls and the bottom of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by interconnected side walls and bottom of the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.

According to another aspect of the invention, upwardly-extending stubs are positioned on first, second, third and fourth corners of the container and adapted to fit into the tubular corner members of a second like container stacked on the container.

According to another aspect of the invention, tubular side members are mounted on and extend downwardly from the lower rails of the outer container section of the container intermediate the first, second, third and fourth tubular corner members of the container and are adapted to fit over locking elements of the upper rails of a second like container stacked on the container.

According to another aspect of the invention, an adjustable, laterally extending partition is positioned within the container for dividing the storage area within the container into two separate zones.

According to another aspect of the invention, the adjustable, laterally extending partition is positioned within the inner container section.

According to another aspect of the invention, first and second tubular reinforcing bars extend longitudinally along an underside of the container and the tubular reinforcing bars of the outer container section are dimensioned to telescopically receive the tubular reinforcing bars of the inner container section therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view from the top side of a length adjustable container according to one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view from the bottom side of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top end elevation of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a bottom side elevation of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a further perspective view of the length adjustable container;

FIG. 9 is an exploded upper perspective view of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 is an exploded upper perspective view of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 , showing removable and adjustable top end panel;

FIG. 11 is an exploded lower perspective view of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 12 is an exploded upper perspective view of the length adjustable container according to FIG. 1 , with an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of the sliding connection of the container components;

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view showing the stacking arrangement of three containers according to FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 14 is a lower perspective view showing the stacking arrangement of three containers according to FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, an adjustable length container 10 is shown. Use of the term “length” in this application is not intended to signify any specific side of the container 10 but merely distinguishes a particular side from the other sides in this application for clarity. As shown, the container 10 includes an inner container section 12 and outer container sections 50A, 50B, with the inner container section 12 telescoped in an overlapping relation to the joined outer container sections 50A,50B to create a container that is adjustable to varying lengths as required. As shown in FIG. 1 , the container 10 is in its longest length configuration. FIG. 8 shows the opposite side of the container 10.

The inner container section 12 has interconnected vertical walls 14, 16 and 18 with a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom 20 connected to the interconnected walls 14, 16 and 18. A pair of upper rails 22, 24 are positioned on a top surface of the sidewalls 14 and 18 and extend along the side walls 14 and 18 in a parallel lengthwise direction. Upwardly extending stubs 26, 28 are positioned on opposing tubular corner members 32, 34 of the inner container section 12. When two or more like containers 10 are stacked, the stubs 26, 28 fit into the bottom end of the tubular corner members 32, 34 of a like container 10, fixing the container 10 and the like container 10 in a secure stacked registration with each other. See FIGS. 13 and 14 .

The upper rail 22 of side wall 14 and upper rail 24 of side wall 18 have spaced-apart locking holes 22A-E and 24A-E, respectively, that extend along their respective top surfaces. The inner container section 12 also includes a pair of lower rails 36, 38 provided with spaced-apart locking holes 36A-E, 38A-E, respectively. The side walls 14 and 18 include channels 14A-B and 18A-B, respectively, which extend along their respective length. The bottom 20 of the inner container section 12 includes a pair of channels 20A-B extending along its length. The inner container section 12 has a pair of casters 40, 42 that are preferably retractable and permit the container 10 to be easily rolled and adjusted.

An adjustable partition 44 is optionally provided to provide a means of dividing the storage area within the container 10 into two separate zones. Pins 44A and 44B carried on the partition are adapted to fit into selected ones of the spaced-apart locking holes 22A-E and 24A-E, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 , for example.

The outer container section 50 has interconnected vertical side walls 52A, 52B and 56A, 56B, respectively with predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height. As shown, the side walls 52A, 52B and 56A, 56B are preferably connected together by dovetails 57, and bottom panels 58A, 58B are connected to the interconnected walls 52A, 52B, 56A, 56B and 56. The bottom panels 58A, 58B are also preferably connected by spaced-part dovetails 57. Dovetails 57 are locked into position by pins 57A in side walls 52A, 52B, 56A, 56B and bottom panels 58A, 58B.

The outer container section 50 includes upper rails 60A, 60B and 62A, 62B positioned on top of the walls 52A, 52B and 56A, 56B, respectively. Locking pin holes 64, 66, see FIG. 7 , are positioned in the upper surface of the upper rails 60 and 62 of outer container section 50 and receive locking pins 69 that also extend into a selected one of the spaced-apart locking holes 22A-E and 24A-E, respectively, to fix the container 10 to a desired length.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 , the outer container sections 50A, 50B include lower rails 68A, 68B and 70A, 70B positioned proximate the bottom panels 58A, 58B. Locking pin holes 72, 74, see FIG. 6 , are positioned in the lower rails 68A, 68B and 70A, 70B of outer container sections 50A, 50B and receive locking pins 69 that also extend into a selected one of the spaced-apart locking holes 36A-E, 38A-E of the lower rails 36, 38 of the inner container section 12.

Upwardly extending stubs 80, 82 are positioned on opposing tubular corner members 84, 86 of the outer container section 50B. When stacked, the stubs 80, 82 fit into the bottom end of the tubular corner members 84, 86 of like container 10, together with stubs 26, 28 into tubular corner members 32, 34, fixing the container 10 and the like container 10 in stacked registration with each other as best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 .

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 9 , the inner container section 12 and the outer container sections 50A, 50B are connected together for sliding length adjustment by pins 90 that are positioned in the side wall channels 14A-B, 18A-B and bottom channels 20A, 20B. To lock the inner container section 12 and the joined outer container sections 50A, 50B in a position to achieve the required overall length of the container 10, the inner container section 12 and outer container section 50 are shifted relative to each other until the locking holes 22A-E, 24A-E, and 36A-E, 38A-E, respectively align with the locking holes 64, 66 through the upper and lower rails 60, 62 and 68, 70. Self-locking pins 69 captured by lock nuts 69A are extended into and through the locking holes 22A-E, 24A-E, and 36A-E, 38A-E and the locking holes 64, 66, see FIGS. 7, 9 and 11 , in the upper and lower rails 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B and 68A, 68B, 70A, 70B. As is evident, use of both outer container sections 50A, 50B is optional. Only outer container section 50B may be used alone with the inner container 12, resulting in a container with an overall shorter length.

As best shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 , channels 92, 94 formed between the upper rails 14, 18 and channels 96, 98 formed between the lower rails 36, 38 of the inner container section 12 allow the upper rails 60A, 60B, 62A, 62B, lower rails 68A, 68B, 70A, 70B and side walls 52A, 52B and 56A, 56B of the outer container section 50 to slide relative to the inner container section 12, as adjustments in length take place. Stability and alignment of the inner and outer container sections 12 and 50A, 50B are maintained by the pins 90 that ride in the channels 14A, 14B, 18A, 18B and 20A, 20B in the walls 14, 18 and bottom 20, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the end wall 54 of the outer container section 50B is removable. It resides in channels 100, 102 and 104 where it is held in place, but is removable by lifting the end wall 54, causing it to slide upward in the channels 100 and 104.

The range of available length adjustment is variable. In accordance with one preferred embodiment by way of example, the spacing of the 22A-E, 24A-E, and 36A-E, 38A-E locking holes is such that an overall interior length of between 33 in./84 cm, and 65 in./165/cm (FIG. 10 ) are achieved. The side walls 52A, 52B, 56A, 56B, and bottom panel 58A can be removed to permit the shorter overall length of the container 10 and replaced to achieve a longer overall length.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the stacking feature of the container 10.

Referring to FIG. 14 , reinforcements are strategically added to the container 10 to provide desirable rigidity in its varying configurations. The bottom of the container 10 is braced with longitudinally-extending tubular support bars 110, 112, 114 and 116 that slide relative to each other as the length of the container 10 is changed. Laterally-extending support bars 118, 120, 122 and 124 likewise provide lateral support to the container 10. In addition to the tubular corner members 32, 34, 84 and 86, which act as supporting feet, intermediate tubular support members 126, 128, 130 and 132 support the middle section of the container 10 and prevent sagging. The intermediate tubular support members 126, 128, 130 and 132 also capture and fix respective pins 69 and enable multiple containers 10 to be stacked, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . As is also best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , corner braces 140 provide anti-racking support to the side walls 14, 18, 52A, 52B, 56A, 56B, and corner braces 150 provide anti-racking support to the bottom 20 and bottom panels 58A and 58B.

The container 10 may be constructed of numerous alternative materials, the selection of which will depend on various commercial and technical factors, and are not significant to patentability. By way of example only, reinforced fiberglass or HDPE may be used for the walls 14, 26, 28, 52, 54, 56 and bottoms 20 and 58. The thickness of these wall and bottom components may be 0.25 in. (6.3 mm).

An adjustable length container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims. 

I claim:
 1. An adjustable length container, comprising: (a) an inner container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart inner side walls and an end wall having a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and end wall; (b) a pair of upper rails positioned adjacent and extending along the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls of the inner container section; (c) an outer container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and bottom, the predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section having dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section; (d) the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls each comprising first and second side wall panels attached on adjacent side edges; (e) the bottom comprising first and second bottom panels attached on adjacent end edges; (f) a pair of upper rails positioned adjacent to and extending along the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls of the outer container section and dimensioned to telescopically receive the pair of upper rails of the inner section therein; and (g) the pair of upper rails of the inner container section and the pair of upper rails of the outer container section having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration defining a storage area.
 2. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the first and second side wall panels of the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls are attached on adjacent side edges by complementary dovetails.
 3. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the first and second bottom panels are attached on adjacent end edges by complementary dovetails.
 4. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein at least one pin-receiving hole is provided along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.
 5. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including: (a) an inner pair of lower rails positioned adjacent and extending along parallel lengthwise side walls of the inner container section; (b) an outer pair of lower rails positioned adjacent to and extending along parallel lengthwise side walls of the outer container section, dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein; and (c) the inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.
 6. The adjustable length container according to claim 5, wherein the complementary inner and outer locking elements comprise at least one pin-receiving hole formed in each of the inner pair of lower rails and adapted to receive a removable locking pin therein.
 7. The adjustable length container according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pin-receiving hole comprises a plurality of pin-receiving holes spaced along a length of the inner pair of lower rails.
 8. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the end wall is removable.
 9. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including an adjustable, laterally extending partition positioned within the container for dividing the storage area within the container into two separate zones.
 10. The adjustable length container according to claim 9, wherein the adjustable, laterally extending partition is positioned within the inner container section.
 11. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, and including a pair of laterally spaced-apart casters positioned on one or another of the inner or outer container sections.
 12. The adjustable length container according to claim 1, wherein the rails are tubular with an inside dimension of the inner pair of upper and lower rails dimensioned to be telescopically received in the outer pair of upper and lower rails.
 13. An adjustable length container, comprising: (a) an inner container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart inner side walls and an end wall having a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and end wall; (b) a pair of upper rails positioned adjacent and extending along the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls of the inner container section; (c) an outer container section having first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls and an end wall defining a predetermined dimensioned length, width, and height, and a bottom connected to the first and second spaced-apart inner side walls and bottom, the predetermined dimensional length, width and height of the outer container section having dimensions adapted to telescopically receive the inner container section in a predetermined overlapping configuration relative to the outer container section; (d) the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls each comprising first and second side wall panels attached on adjacent side edges by complementary dovetails; (e) the bottom comprising first and second bottom panels attached on adjacent end edges by complementary dovetails; (f) a pair of upper rails positioned adjacent to and extending along the first and second laterally spaced-apart outer side walls of the outer container section and dimensioned to telescopically receive the pair of upper rails of the inner section therein; (g) the pair of upper rails of the inner container section and the pair of upper rails of the outer container section having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration defining a storage area; (h) wherein at least one pin-receiving hole is provided along a length of the inner pair of upper rails and adapted to lock the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration; (i) an inner pair of lower rails positioned adjacent and extending along parallel lengthwise side walls of the inner container section; (j) an outer pair of lower rails positioned adjacent to and extending along parallel lengthwise side walls of the outer container section, dimensioned to telescopically receive the inner pair of lower rails therein; and (k) the inner pair of lower rails and the outer pair of lower rails having complementary inner and outer locking elements for locking the inner and outer container sections in the predetermined telescopically overlapping configuration.
 14. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including guide channels formed in the interconnected side walls of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.
 15. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including guide channels formed in the interconnected side walls and the bottom of the inner container section for cooperating with pins carried by interconnected side walls and bottom of the outer container section and positioned in the guide channels.
 16. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including upwardly-extending stubs positioned on first, second, third and fourth corners of the container in vertical alignment with tubular corner members vertically positioned on first, second, third and fourth corners of the container, the stubs of the container adapted to fit into the tubular corner members of a second like container stacked on the container.
 17. The adjustable length container according to claim 16, and including tubular side members mounted on and extending downwardly from the lower rails of the outer container section of the container intermediate the first, second, third and fourth tubular corner members of the container and adapted to fit over locking elements of the upper rails of a second like container stacked on the container.
 18. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including an adjustable, laterally extending partition positioned within the container for dividing the storage area within the container into two separate zones.
 19. The adjustable length container according to claim 18, wherein the adjustable, laterally extending partition is positioned within the inner container section.
 20. The adjustable length container according to claim 13, and including first and second tubular reinforcing bars extending longitudinally along an underside of the container, the tubular reinforcing bars of the outer container section being dimensioned to telescopically receive the tubular reinforcing bars of the inner container section therein. 